Yağmur Şapçı joins us as a trainee advocate. She grew up in Istanbul and studied law at the University of Hamburg, specializing in public international and European law. She holds an LL.M. in International Commercial and Economic Law, with a focus on international arbitration, from SOAS University of London. She previously worked in the International Arbitration Group at WilmerHale in London. She is currently completing her legal traineeship a.k.a. Referendariat at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court of Hamburg. 

We look very much forward to working with Yağmur and have so many questions…

What was your first job?

Pretty classic. I started as a legal assistant in my second semester at university, working at a Turkish-German law firm.

Breakfast or dinner?

Breakfast, no question. Especially if it turns into a long weekend brunch.

What do you cook when you spontaneously have friends over for dinner?

Turkish meatballs with tomato rice, it is a crowd favorite. And I always make my carrot yogurt dip, which somehow always disappears first.

Mountains or seaside?

Seaside, always. I am a Mediterranean soul and I basically count down the days to summer in Bodrum.

If you could meet someone famous, dead or alive, who would it be?

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Which was your favorite place to live so far?

Istanbul is home and incomparable, but London definitely has a special place in my heart.

Digital or analogue?

Analogue. I love anything that lets you actually touch it and relive memories.

Favorite time of day?

That golden after-work window. Aperol with friends, no rush.

Window or aisle seat?

Aisle.

Country you wish to visit?
Mexico.

What song will always get you on the dancefloor?

Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas.

Good advice you’ve received?

Everything happens for a reason, and it usually works out better than expected.

Biggest pet peeve?

Slow walkers in crowded places is an instant frustration.

Most played on your music playlist right now?
“Opalite” by Taylor Swift.

Favorite (public) holiday?

New Year’s Eve.

Last new thing you learned?

I picked up “arigato gozaimasu” (thank you very much) during my trip to Tokyo last week.

Which movie can you watch over and over?

Catch Me If You Can — Leonardo DiCaprio is iconic in it.

Three words to describe Berlin?

Raw, creative, ever-evolving.

Three words to describe your hometown, Istanbul.

Electric, tireless, unforgettable.

Night owl or early bird?

Somewhere in between. I thrive in my own time zone.

Favorite pizza topping?

Anything cheese-heavy, for example fior di latte or burrata.